Easter on the Farm

 Easter wouldn't be Easter without dyeing eggs.  Some were more creative than others.  In the end, all were pleased with their creations.

 We headed into Odell for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The kids were grouped by classes.  Each child was allotted 6 eggs which they could turn in for money but keeping the candy inside.  Any left over eggs were up for grabs only for the candy though.

 On your marks, get ready, go!

 It is always a special treat to turn in the eggs to Opa in exchange for money.  The kids were excited to receive $6.  It's always interesting to see how is first to want to spend their money.

 Easter morning after church we returned to the farm to find the Easter bunny had been there.  This was much to the delight of all three kids.

 The rest of the morning was spend sorting through our Easter loot.

Easter Relay Race

As the kids get older, holiday creativity adds to unique ways to celebrate.  The Dieckmans were heading to Shane's family for Easter.  Thus we designed an Easter relay race on Saturday before they headed out.  The kids were divided into two teams headed by either Oma or Opa.  They were then tasked with finding 12 eggs scattered around the yard.  Inside the eggs were various tasks that the teams needed to complete.  The first team done, won the right to choose the winning basket out of two baskets Diane and I put together.  The other team then received the remaining basket.  I'm not sure who had more fun... the team members or Diane and I watching the escapades.

Tasks to Complete:

1.  Run around the barn and yell "Auntie Em, Auntie Em, the monkeys are coming" 2 times.

2.  Do 10 jumping jacks yelling "Here comes Peter Cottontail".

3.  Put on a blind fold and find your way back to your teammates by using their voice.

4.  Fill your mouth with water, but don't drink any.  Run to the mailbox and water Oma's plants with water in your mouth.

5.  Give your teammates high fives and then run to the other team and yell the Pledge of Allegiance.

6.  Go to your teammates and tell them to play charades.  Your job is to act out the Easter Bunny without using an words.

7.  Dance the Macerena 3 times.

8.  Pat your head, rub your belly and turn in a circle 5 times.

9.  Say in order, according to age from the oldest to youngest, the first names of all the cousins to an adult.

10.  Tell an adult why we celebrate Easter.

11.  Tell a joke to Oma or Opa.

12.  Crab walk down the front driveway.

 Team Diamond Sparkles

 Team Gary

 Auntie Em, Auntie Em!

 It didn't take long for Izzy to find her team.  Great team work!

 A combined effort for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 Crab walking is a bit harder than it looks when you are in a hurry.

 This was my favorite task... watering Oma's plants.  Micah and Victoria were both tasked with this job and did it quite well.

And the winner is.... Team Gary!

 Which basket to choose from... touch decision.

 A fun treat was a few lottery scratch tickets.  Audrey was a winner... 1$!

Youth Climate Adaptation Challenge

This was Izzy's 2nd year participating in the Brookline Youth Climate Adaptation Challenge.  John and Izzy created a prototype house demonstrating many green options that currently exist.  The entire family worked together on this poster including Micah and Victoria with the coloring.

As a way to make this fun and encourage participation from all ages, we added a few friends that had to be discovered with a chocolate reward.

 This year one of the judges was Tommy Vitolo, our MA House of Representatives.

 Other examples of student's work included art the demonstrates climate related topics.  This was one of our favorites.  All the names of the endangered birds was written in the background of a bald eagle, an endangered bird that grew in number thanks to the efforts made to prevent its extinction.

 A science demonstration on how acid rain erodes various rock types.

 Our neighbors, Charlotte and Nell, made a poster about various endangered animals.

 The finale was presenting certificates of participation.  In addition, citations were awarded to participants whose projects stood out to the judges.  Izzy's name was not called.  However the following day I received an email that her name was accidentally omitted from the final list.  The Pierce school principal included those students from Pierce on her email message to the Pierce community.  Their presentations are on display at school this week as well.  Once the citations are finalized by the MA State House, they will be awarded by the principle to the students.  Such a wonderful finish to the experience!